Here is an update story on the Seneca Cayuga ARC employee charged with assault. It ran in Friday's Post-Standard:

Auburn, NY - A former Seneca Cayuga ARC caregiver told Auburn police he assaulted a 27-year-old mentally handicapped man on at least two occasions, including kicking the man in the groin so severely last May that he had to treated by a doctor.

In a statement given Tuesday to police, Alexander M. Orofino, 24, of 73 Standart Ave., Auburn, said he kicked the man in the groin May 26 after the man had made a mess in the kitchen while eating waffles at the group home in Auburn, where he was a resident.

He had made a big mess with butter, Orofino said in his statement to police. It was all over the counter and it was all over his shirt. I got mad because I knew I had to change him so I kneed (him) in the groin area.

In the same statement, Orofino admitted he was shown in a surveillance video assaulting the man at the group home, operated by Seneca Cayuga ARC. Orofino notes in his statement that the video shows him hitting, pushing, choking and kicking the client. The video was recorded using a nanny cam hidden in the clients bedroom.

Copies of the papers on file at Auburn City Court did not identify the client Orofino is accused of assaulting. In the papers, the man was described by ARC Associate Executive Director Kathleen R. Sinicropi as non-verbal, unable to care for himself and in need of 24-hour care and supervision. The man functions at a young childs level, Sinicropi said.

The papers do not identify which group home was involved. The agency operates several homes in Auburn.

In describing the second incident, which occurred Sept. 4 and which led to his arrest, Orofino said he got mad at the client after the man wet his bed, which meant Orofino had to change the bed clothes and apply rash medicine to the man.

I just get so mad because (he) doesnt do anything. He just sits there, Orofino said in his statement.

Seneca Cayuga ARC Executive Director Kevin M. Smith said Wednesday he would not discuss the case, saying he was prevented by privacy laws from disclosing any information about Orofino or the man is accused of assault.

Smith said all employees who work directly with clients undergo criminal background checks, and references supplied by job applicants are checked.

Orofino was fired from his job, and Tuesday he was charged with assault and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person and harassment.

The assault and endangering charges are misdemeanors, punishable by up to a year in county jail. The harassment charge is a violation, punishable by up to 15 days in jail.

He was arraigned in Auburn City Court, where bail was set at $750 cash or $1,500 bond. He posted bail was released. 

Here is the story that ran Thursday:

Auburn, NY -- An Seneca Cayuga ARC employee has been charged with assault after Auburn police and that agency captured on video the worker physically abusing a disabled client of the agency.

Alexander Mark Orofino, 24, of 73 Standart Ave. was charged with misdemeanor assault and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, and harassment, a violation.

ARC provides services for physically and mentally handicapped people.

According to a press release from Auburn police, officers were notified by the agency in May that one of its clients had sufffered injuries "by unknown means." The victim needed medical treatment for those injuries.

The agency installed a "nanny cam" to determine how this individual was being injured, according to the release.

On Monday, agency staff members met with Det. Christopher McLoughlin and turned over video evidence showing an employee physically abusing one of their clients.

The agency suspended Orofino and referred the matter to police. On Tuesday, McLoughlin and Officer John Dixon interviewed Orofino who admitted to injuring the victim in May.

The employee was also charged for the offenses recorded on the video.

Orofino was arraigned in Auburn City Court on Tuesday and taken to the Cayuga County Jail on $750.00 cash bail or $1,5000.00 bond. He posted bail and was released.

His father, Alexander Orofino, said his son was unavailable for comment on Wednesday.